The Negotiator (Harbor City 1)

She withdrew her hand and turned so she faced the window instead of him. “You’re going to tell her the truth about us and the whole Marry Off Sawyer campaign?”

He followed Clover’s mom’s car onto Caller Court, concentrating on the road instead of the way his lungs had tightened or the fact that he could still feel the imprint of her fingers on his leg. “It’s probably past time, don’t you think?”

“Yeah.” She nodded, but kept her face averted. “So let’s go with a business emergency cover story. You can head back to Harbor City, and I’ll figure out how to tell them the truth in the morning.”

Gut tight, he turned into the driveway of number forty-three Caller Court while Clover’s mom pulled into the garage.

He should be relieved. It was an uncomplicated solution to a messy problem. All he needed to do was say thank you, but that’s not what came out. “I can stay, have your back when you tell them the truth.”

This time she did turn to face him. The porch light shining in through the window highlighted the gold of her hair. One side of her mouth was curled up in a semblance of a smile but not quite making it, as if she just couldn’t fake it anymore tonight. The lies had taken a toll.

“I appreciate that,” she said, “but you’re not the only one who’s facing up to the realization that how you’ve been handling family up until now may not have been the best option.”

Neither of them said anything as they got out of the car. He went around to the trunk and got her bag, leaving his own on top of the spare tire. Then he followed her inside to the Lees’ warm, yellow kitchen decorated with wildflowers and photos of coffee mugs. Bobby said good night and headed up the stairs. Sawyer placed Clover’s bag on the kitchen island while her mom started a fresh pot of coffee despite the fact that it was ten o’clock at night. Clover had gone over to a framed family photo on the counter and picked it up. If he hadn’t known any better, he would have thought it was the first time she’d ever seen it.

Earlier today his mom had asked him what he really knew about Clover. The truth was, not a lot. He knew what she liked to do, how she liked her hamburgers, that she dipped her fries in vinegar, and that she laughed at all the same places he did in movies. That wasn’t the same, though, as actually knowing her and what made her tick. Now he wouldn’t. She’d come back to the penthouse in a couple of days and get her stuff. He’d cut her a check for the full amount. She wasn’t the one who’d decided to end things early, after all. And then she’d be off to Australia and he’d go back to his life the way it was before she’d shown up at Carlyle Towers, answering an ad for a personal buffer that he’d never placed.

The fact that he felt like he’d swallowed glass just meant that it was better to get out of here sooner rather than later. “Mrs. Lee—”

“Laura, I insist. We’re going to be family after all,” she interrupted. “Don’t worry, I’m making decaf. Do you want some?”

Clover sat down the photo and crossed over to stand by him. “Mom, Sawyer has to head back to Harbor City.”

“Really?” Laura said, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Yes.” He nodded, playing his part. “There’s been an emergency at the office.”

“Uh-huh.” Laura looked from Clover to him and back again, her gaze cool and assessing. “Well, we’ll just move family lunch up to family brunch so you can head back to the city tomorrow afternoon. Even a busy man like yourself needs a morning off every once in a while.”

“Mom, it doesn’t really work like tha—”

“I’ll stay.” The moment the words were out of his mouth, the tightness in his shoulders released, and he realized it was exactly the answer he’d wanted to give the whole time.

“You will?” Both women asked at the same time. One was pleased while the other was not in the least.

“You’re right,” he said. “It’s Friday night. The office will still be there on Monday.”

“Wonderful!” Laura clapped. “I’ll get you set up in the guest room. Jane, you’ll be in your old room. I know, I know you’re grown adults, but this is my house and my rules—and I have a lot of them or so my children tell me.”

He was beginning to see why Clover had learned the importance of good negotiation. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Laura—or Mom. You two are engaged after all.” She let out a little whoop of excitement, put one arm around him and another around Clover before pulling them in for a tight hug.

Looking over the top of Laura’s head, there was no missing the dirty look Clover was giving him. He was a selfish bastard. He knew. But his time with Clover was up the minute they got back to Harbor City and if he could delay that for another twelve hours, he’d take it. Tomorrow would be soon enough to own up to the truth. Until then, he’d take all the distraction he could get.

Chapter Eighteen

An hour of tossing and t

urning later, Clover rolled over in the lumpy twin-size bed she’d grown up sleeping in and grabbed her cell phone. Squinting at the screen that seemed abnormally bright in the pitch dark of her room, she started thumb typing.

Clover: We need to talk.

That was one way to put it. It sounded so much nicer than I need to smack you upside the head for complicating an already fucked up situation. The fact that part of her was thrilled he was staying—even after the bullshit at dinner tonight—told her just how much she needed him out of her life. Daphne had been right. She wasn’t a casual sex kind of girl and if she didn’t get out soon, she’d pay the price.

Her phone vibrated in her hand.

Sawyer: Honey, I know you’re mad.